Ideas to Decorate a Boat for a Regatta

Boat regattas are nautical celebrations that feature a boat race along with entertainment and often a boat parade. Boat owners participate in the celebration by decorating their vessel within the regatta's theme or to represent their crew's pride. A masterfully decorated boat is an ideal way to set your team apart from the rest of the competition.

  1. Beach

    • A beach theme is an ideal decorating scheme for any boat event, including a regatta. Big-box retailers, party stores and online party supply companies offer a variety of beach theme decorations suitable for use on a boat. These items include beach theme stringers, artificial palm trees, beach towels, flip-flop light strings and surfing decorations. Place cardboard beach decorations such as shells, fish and surfboards on the outside of the boat. Your crew can wear beach attire for an added personal touch.

    Holiday

    • If the regatta falls on or near a major holiday, you can plan your decorations to celebrate the holiday, such as Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth of July. Christmas decorations include a Christmas tree, Christmas lights, stockings and a Santa statue. A Fourth of July theme includes red, white and blue colored decorations such as streamers, balloons and American flags. For other holidays you can use household decorations found at most department and discount retailers.

    Regatta Theme

    • If the regatta has a specific theme, you can decorate your boat within that theme -- usually it will be something nautical. For events without themes you have the option of creating banners, attire and decorations with the logo and name of the event. Combine the regatta decor with nautical-themed decorations such as lighthouses, buoys and sea life. Nautical flags make boat decorations that you can hang over the railings and fly on your flag pole or mast.

    Team Theme

    • Regatta teams often have private or corporate business sponsors that pay for the entry fees and supplies needed for the race. Use the sponsoring business or team name as a theme for the boat. Decorate using banners and signs with the company or team logo and colors. Crew members can wear attire with the same logo or theme such as shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Create a team flag to display on top of the mast or cabin.